The countdown is on: There are just 50 days until the start of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Scheduled from June 14 to July 13, 2025, this edition is the first using an expanded format of 32 of the very best teams from around the footballing world. The United States is hosting the historic event, with Seattle’s Lumen Field hosting all three of the Sounders’ opening round matches and six in total.
A locally-rooted club, the Sounders are putting Seattle on center stage as they prepare to face a challenging group of international opponents in the biggest tournament in global club soccer.
The Seattle Sounders are in Group B, joining some of the biggest clubs in the world in France’s Paris Saint-Germain, Spain’s Atlético Madrid and Brazil’s Botafogo. Get to know each of Seattle’s three opponents below. A full list of all 32 participants can be found at the bottom of the article.
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Paris Saint-Germain
Arguably the biggest spenders in world football, PSG has lined up some of the greatest players in the world. Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Ronaldinho and Kylian Mbappe are just a handful to have suited up for the Parisians.
PSG is coming off a historic season. The club has already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title, are in the final of the Coupe de France against Reims and are facing Arsenal in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Head Coach: Luis Enrique
Major Trophies: 13 Ligue 1, 15 Coupe de France
Players to Watch:
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, winger
Ousmane Dembélé, winger
Achraf Hakimi, fullback
Atlético Madrid
Still undeniably a major player in Europe, Atlético’s global presence would be even higher if it weren’t caught in the shadow of its in-city rival Real. Some of Spain’s best and brightest have plied their trade at the Estadio Metropolitano, including Fernando Torres and Koke.
Atlético is currently third in the La Liga table, behind only Real Madrid and league-leaders Barcelona. Atlético bowed out in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey and fell in a Madrid derby in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Head Coach: Diego Simeone
Major Trophies: 11 La Liga, 10 Copa del Rey, 3 UEFA Europa League
Players to Watch:
Antoine Griezmann, forward
Julián Alvarez, forward
Jan Oblak, goalkeeper
Botafogo
The Sounders have a special connection to Botafogo, as it’s from where they acquired central midfielder João Paulo in 2020. Former Sounders captain Nicolás Lodeiro also spent two years with Botafogo from 2012-14 before moving on to Brazilian rival Corinthians. Botafogo also features a wider MLS flair, with former Real Salt Lake winger Jefferson Savarino, Inter Miami defensive midfielder Gregore, New York City FC midfielder Santi Rodríguez and New York Red Bulls forward Elias Manoel all currently on the roster.
Botafogo is coming off a 2024 Serie A title, its first since 1995, as well as a Copa Libertadores double. The club has gotten off to an inauspicious start to 2025, however, currently sitting in 15th place with five points from five matches.
Head Coach: Renato Paiva
Major Trophies: 3 Serie A, 1 Copa Libertadores
Players to Watch:
Igor Jesus, forward
Jefferson Savarino, winger
Santi Rodríguez, midfielder
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Full 32-team participants
AFC (Asian Football Confederation)
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)
Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)
Ulsan HD (South Korea)
CAF (Confederation of African Football)
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Wydad AC (Morocco)
Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Concacaf (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football)
Seattle Sounders (United States)
Monterrey (Mexico)
Pachuca (Mexico)
OPEN (Potential playoff between MLS side LAFC and Liga MX’s Club America after FIFA disqualified Mexican side Club León, which originally qualified in this spot, for violating multi-club ownership rules)
CONMEBOL (South American Football Association)
Palmeiras (Brazil)
Flamengo (Brazil)
Fluminense (Brazil)
Botafogo (Brazil)
River Plate (Argentina)
Boca Juniors (Argentina)
OFC (Oceania Football Confederation)
Auckland City (New Zealand)
UEFA (Union of European Football Association)
Chelsea (England)
Real Madrid (Spain)
Manchester City (England)
Bayern Munich (Germany)
Paris Saint-Germain (France)
Inter Milan (Italy)
Porto (Portugal)
Benfica (Portugal)
Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Juventus (Italy)
Atlético Madrid (Spain)
Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Host nation representative
Inter Miami (United States)
